Ukraine harmonizes procedure of seeds, planting material inspections with European standards

MOSCOW. June 27 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian government has adapted the procedure for certification, issuance and revocation of certificates for seeds and/or planting material to European standards.

Ukrainian media reported, citing the press service for the Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry, the relevant innovations are stipulated by the government decree on introducing amendments to the procedure of certification, issuance and revocation of certificates for seeds and/or planting material, which was drawn up by the relevant ministry.

The decree has been drafted in pursuance of Ukraine's European integration commitments to improve the procedure of assessing the compliance of seeds and planting material when determining their varietal qualities. In particular, the regulation simplifies the terms of seed breeding and nursery farming, and implements a competitive policy during the field assessment as part of the certification procedure, the statement said.

Under the decree, agricultural businesses are allowed to enter into contracts for the provision of services of field evaluation of seed crops or plantations directly with an independent (private) auditor (agronomist-inspector) without the involvement of the state certification authority.

The requirement to the auditor to observe confidentiality of information, which he is receiving while performing his work, regardless of commercial and other interests of an entity of seed breeding and nursery is enshrined in the law.

The auditor is personally responsible for the reliability of information included in the issued acts of field evaluation and acts of rejection of seed crops and perennial plantations.

The implementation of this regulation will contribute to setting up a clear and transparent mechanism of the procedure of certification of seeds and planting material, the Agrarian Policy Ministry said.